Nation's most popular police car is now an SUV

You may want to think twice before speeding down the highway. Ford's new hybrid police car can travel 100 miles per hour and can save police departments some $3,800 annually in fuel costs.
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The SUV version of Ford's Police Interceptor, a modified Explorer, just crossed the 50% market share threshold for the first time since it was introduced in 2012, said Ford, based on figures from sales tracking firm IHS Markit.

While making up 51% of overall police vehicle sales through March, the Interceptor SUV has been an even bigger star within Ford's vehicle lineup for law enforcement agencies -- the SUV and a full-size sedan, which is based off the Taurus.

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A Michigan State Police officer shoots at the doors of a Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicle during ballistic testing of doors against small arm fire at the Livingston Conservation and Sports Association in Brighton, Mich. Ford will soon be offering doors on its Police Interceptor sedans and SUVs that can protect against armor-piercing bullets.
Ford via AP

Entry holes through the outer skin of the door panel of a Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicle during ballistic testing of doors against small arm fire at the Barry County Conservation Club in Hastings, Mich.
Ford via AP

A Michigan State Police officer and a Ford engineer look at damage to a door of a Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicle during ballistic testing of doors against small arm fire at the Barry County Conservation Club in Hastings, Mich.
Ford via AP

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"We projected that the Police Interceptor sedan was going to be roughly 75% of our mix. It flip flopped and the SUV is 75% of our mix," said Stephen Tyler, Ford's police brand marketing manager.

In addition to the two models, Ford is also going to offer a hybrid police car -- a modified Fusion sedan -- to police departments.

Getting police departments to think about SUVs, not cars, was, in retrospect, a bit of a gamble, Tyler said, when the decision was made to heavily promote the police version of the Explorer to departments.

After having a lock on the police market for years with its Crown Victoria sedan, Ford's sales fell when the gas-guzzling model was discontinued and rivals made a play for the police market with their full-size sedans. General Motors offered the police version of the Chevrolet Caprice and Fiat Chrysler had the Dodge Charger.

The SUV didn't get off to a hot start in the sale race. In 2012, only 12% of all new police cars sold by all brands were the Police Interceptor SUV, Ford says.

Acceptance gradually grew as police agencies found that they liked the extra room that an SUV provided for all their gear and the higher seating position compared with sedans. With a turbocharged engine option, Ford billed the Interceptor SUV has having lots of power while being far more fuel efficient than the old Crown Vics. Plus, Ford officials told department that the Interceptor SUV was safe to use for high-speed pursuits even though SUVs often have a higher center of gravity.

The Interceptor is heavily modified compared with the civilian version. It has upgraded suspension and cooling systems. It has special durable upholstery because of the heavy, around-the-clock use that its seats endure. There are even "anti-stab" plates embedded in the front seatbacks to keep people who have been arrested from trying to knife the officer who is transporting them to jail.

Tyler says many of the improvements are based on suggestions from Ford's police advisory board of chiefs and other officials. They have recommended modifications since the SUV was introduced. As result, he says, more departments depend on it.

"It’s been growing so fast," Tyler said. "We knew we were going to get to this point."